August 2012
Eighth Annual Sculpture Invitational
Illahe Studios and Gallery will be hosting its 8th Annual Sculpture Invitational featuring the work of 10 Northwest sculptors: Cheryl Williams, Carole Murphy, Norman Ernsting, Penelope Dews, Micah Ofestedahl, Margie Mee, Michael Bianca, Jesse Ambrose, Susan Springer and Garry Price. Regional sculptors, from emerging artist to master craftsmen, working inventively in various media including iron, clay, wood, cement, recycled glass and found objects. Join us for an artist reception during the First Friday Art Walk on August 3rd from 5 to 8 p.m. with live music provided by singer and guitarist, David Kelley. Enjoy a stroll through the warm summer evening with other art lovers. Wine and light refreshments will be served. Show runs through August 25th.
Cheryl Williams "Gently Holding", ceramic, stone and metal
Cheryl Williams is a ceramic and metal artist living in Ashland.
"Many people ask me where my ideas come from. They come from living life. Being open to that which shows itself to me.
I love to make the ordinary appear extraordinary. My work is simple and elegant. It gives me great pleasure to share this with you".
Carole Murphy, "In the Flow" carved aerated cement
Carole Murphy is a Portland based sculptor. Using a media that is more commonly known to the construction world, some of Murphy's works are created from a form of carveable aerated cement. Sculpting subtractively in the solid blocks, she uses mostly hand tools. Other pieces of Murphy's include found metal from riverside beds and old barns and pieces of nature found on hikes and from the Northwest Rainforest.
Norman Ernsting, "Haniwa Figures", ceramic
Norman Ernsting, a ceramic sculptor, divides his time between upstate New York and Ashland. His sculptures are inspired by the artifacts of ancient civilizations. By combining an interest in archaeology and ceramic sculpture, he creates elegant and sensual forms that have a timeless appeal.
Penelope Dews, "Singing Pig" ceramic
Rogue Valley artist, Penelope Dews's wood fired and stoneware sculptures are mostly animal and figural forms and some classical pottery shapes with bas-relief. "The animal and figural forms embody certain emotions that I like expressing in the work.
Micah Ofestedahl, "Balance 8" wood and plaster
New to the Ashland area, Micah Ofestedahl will show his "Balance" series, graceful pieces which combine natural wood forms with hand made plaster forms. "I like to leave my work open to any interpretation, but I use the balance of humans and the rest of nature as inspiration. I represent this with the man-made element of plaster in conjunction with the natural element of found wood. I see them as separate in ways, but I hope for connection and harmony
Margie Mee and Michael Bianca, "Wild Thing"
Rogue Valley artists Margie Mee and Michael Bianca have teamed up in creating strong yet whimsical pieces using discarded metal pieces which carry their own history and natural patina and adding accents of wood and stone. "While the final effect can range from power to whimsy, these works combine to present fundamental images and vibrations for air, water, earth and fire."
Jesse Ambrose, "Jaguar Paw" ceramic
Ashland artist, Jesse Ambrose's sculpture is characterized by graphic composition, natural elements of design/architecture, and a certain amount of ambiguity. "I draw upon the highly advanced building techniques of native ancient builders all across the globe. There is infinite possibility for inspiration when you look back in history
Sue Springer, "Heaven's Reach" ceramic
Artist and gallery owner, Susan Springer brings new figurative works in ceramic. "As long as man has created art, the human form has held great mystery. Since a great deal of my work is mosaic and tile work, it is interesting to move off the two dimensional plane, creating relief and full three dimensional forms.
Garry Price, "Recent Gift" glass and metal
Garry Price works in glass and steel in innovative ways, fusing recycled glass into bold, striking forms. Discarded items like T.V.. screens become objects of art. "Meandering through nonordinary time, deeply steeped in the physics, chemistry and infinite forms of glass and steel, playing with juxtaposition of disparate elements while serendipity leads to yet another perfect fit.